Nida Butt

Class of 2016

Currently Studying :

Member of :

Seidenberg Creative Labs

Pace Muslim Student Association (MSA)

"Just keep going. Don’t be intimidated."
– Nida Butt, Class of 2016

Introducing… Ms. Nida Butt

Nida Butt is a student on a mission to increase the number of women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers. The Pace University computer science student will be graduating this Spring 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After completing this milestone, Nida plans to continue her education by earning a Master of Science degree specializing in Health Informatics software development within the health care industry. This field deals with the design of software programs to facilitate the acquisition, storage, retrieval and use of health care information. This is done in an effort to assist a patient’s various health care providers work in unison in the best interest of the patient. Health Informatics plays a major role in healthcare reform efforts as some programs make extensive use of data through the performance of statistical and qualitative analysis as well as explanatory and predictive modeling (data analytics) . This can directly impact a health organization’s long term planning efforts. In a nutshell, Health Informatics is an evolving specialty which links information technology, communications and healthcare to improve the quality and safety of patient care while helping to keep medical costs down. Nida, (whose family immigrated to the U.S from Pakistan) now lives in Brooklyn, New York. This ambitious and talented young lady plans on making a name for herself in a field which is innovative and has limitless potential as technology evolves. She wants to focus on developing technology based programs which will make life easier for doctors and nurses. This, in turn, will ultimately improve the quality of a patient’s medical experience and quite possibly the patient’s quality of life. You go Nida!

What is Nida up to ?

Nida is presently working on her honors thesis. Her paper deals with the creation of a Java-based electronic database.. In addition, during the past few months she has been working as a statistical data intern with MIB Group, Inc (formerly The Medical Information Bureau, Inc.). This company is a provider of underwriting services geared towards protecting various stakeholders- including insurers, policyholders and applicants from insurance claim processing fraud. Prior to this assignment, Nida

worked in the Seidenberg Creative Labs, the student-run mobile and web development agency. Here, Pace students gain hands on experience working on various projects for real clients. In addition, Nida served as the secretary for the Pace University Muslim Student Association (MSA). The goal of this organization is promote the understanding of what Islam is and what it means to be a Muslim. WOW! What a busy lady!

What Inspired Nida to go into Programming?

Several years ago, Nida worked in a law firm. During that experience, she noted, that there were few women who worked in the technology area in various types of companies, spanning across many industries. This intrigued her because, coming from a Muslim background, she had witnessed eve fewer women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers. These observations inspired her to consider exploring the field of computer programming..

Nida’s college advisor supported her idea and recommended that she enroll in a beginner’s programming class in an effort make sure this was definitely her choice of field of study. It was here that Nida’s life changed forever! She wrote her first program in programming class and there was no turning back. She was hooked.

Final Thoughts…

Nida’s advice to women going into computer science is “Just keep going. Don’t be intimidated.” A quote Nida lives by is one from Eleanor Roosevelt- “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. Coming from a Pakistani background, it is even more of an achievement for Nida to be strong and confidant because in many different cultures, women pursuing STEM careers is neither expected or accepted. Thankfully, because of women like Nida (and their supporters) this is changing.